West Bromwich Albion 4 Newcastle United 2

AS the soundtrack to Newcastle United's season - Dignity by Deacon Blue - was appropriately pumped out of the Toon dressing room it became apparent that the current crop of players had made a conscious decision to attempt to rise above the injustice of rookie referee James Linington.

AS the soundtrack to Newcastle United's season - Dignity by Deacon Blue - was appropriately pumped out of the Toon dressing room it became apparent that the current crop of players had made a conscious decision to attempt to rise above the injustice of rookie referee James Linington.

Yes, this FA Cup exit hurt badly for the battered and bruised Magpies, but if ever they wanted a greater incentive to seal the title at West Bromwich Albion’s expense and condemn the Baggies to the lottery of the play-offs as part of the bargain, than this was it.

Usually a side that concedes four goals and ends up with 10 men would come under fierce criticism from those positioned in the gallery.

Not this time.

Here, a referee with just six Championship games under his belt was desperate to be the centre of attention.

Newcastle made a bright and bubbly start to their FA Cup fourth-round tie at The Hawthorns and, starting with their tried and tested 4-5-1 formation – the same system that picked up a clutch of good results earlier this term – looked like they were more than capable of booking a place in the last 16.

That was until whistler Linington and his assistant Duncan Street decided to big up their parts and complete what has been a bad week for officials at second tier level.

After the incompetence and inconsistency of Hertfordshire ref Paul Taylor, who had waved away three penalty appeals and allowed the game between these sides to turn into a near bloodbath a week ago, the question had been asked whether Linington could be any worse.

How wrong we were, but on this occasion it was West Brom who benefited as Isle of Wight-based Linington had one set of rules for the home side and another for Newcastle.

The outrage and sense of injustice after the game had not been of the proportions of say a Thierry Henry handball in Paris or a Maradona handball in Mexico City, or even a game in which the Baggies themselves were involved in back in 1971 at Elland Road, when both sets of players had stopped for an offside before ref Ray Tinkler waved play back on and Jeff Astle scored a winning goal.

This was more on par with some of the shocking decisions Newcastle have endured themselves down the years.

Like Brian Coddington at Derby in 1992, when three players and coach Terry McDermott were sent off in a 4-1 defeat at the Baseball Ground.

And like Trelford Mills, who denied Newcastle two good goals to ensure Brighton a passage into the fourth round in 1983.

Now, Linington and his sidekick Street join them both in Geordie folklore.

After the game we requested an explanation from Linington to justify just why he had been so inconsistent with his decisions.

But sadly we’re still waiting, and the fact that Linington did not leave the Hawthorns until after 7pm to make sure the coast was clear tells its own story.

Clearly, Linington wanted to take centre stage in this cup tie and by the end of the game he had got his wish.

Observers of the game were stunned to see the usually mild-mannered Chris Hughton charge towards the official at the end, but the truth is Linington could make a priest swear.

Already, Linington has caused a major storm this season – when sending off three players in a Carling Cup tie at Swansea against Scunthorpe in a game that was almost abandoned due to multiple injuries.

That night, the man from the Isle of Wight found himself barricaded at the Liberty Stadium until after midnight. This time, he was forced to wait until the masses of Tynesiders had cleared the Black Country after causing fury in the FA Cup.

It took until the 17th minute for Linington to start work.

Chris Brunt’s corner was headed goalwards by Jonas Olsson with the ball hitting Jose Enrique on the line. From both Linington and linesman Street’s view it must have been inconclusive.

But the goal stood.

At that stage it was a case of ‘you can’t win them all’ for the Newcastle contingent.

However, when physical striker Roman Bednar – who inflicted Steven Taylor’s knee injury on Monday – pushed and shoved his way past Tamas Kadar before theatrically throwing himself to the ground when running away from goal, the penalty award seemed extremely harsh on the young Hungarian.

Nevertheless, Graham Dorrans netted and it was 2-0.

Perhaps the two questionable decisions would even themselves out in the second half?

Not a chance. The inconsistencies really started when Ryan Taylor made an excellent run into the penalty area and was clearly barged over by Dorrans for what looked like a spot-kick.

This time the flag stayed down and the ref waved play on.

Yet it looked like Newcastle had found themselves a route back into the game when Andy Carroll blasted home Jonas’ cross.

At 2-1 it was game on and Newcastle were all over the Baggies.

Six minutes later and sub Shola Ameobi – who left the ground with his right arm in a sling – wriggled his way through before attempting to lift his foot and fire at goal, but heavy challenges from Gabriel Tamas and Olsson saw him crumble to the ground and injure his shoulder.

No penalty, and although West Brom keeper Scott Carson frantically appealed to the linesman to stop play so that Ameobi could receive treatment, the game continued.

Jerome Thomas made a run down the left wing and, when Ryan Taylor brought down the speedy winger, there was no doubt it was a penalty and Linington could not wait to point to the spot.

Incredibly, with Taylor expecting a yellow card, out came a red and United were soon 3-1 down after Dorrans’ second and a man down.

Unsurprisingly, it was game over four minutes later when Thomas fired home Enrique’s misplaced clearance at the far post with the scoreline by this stage flattering Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

Carroll’s fine individual run and shot near the end was barely a consolation, and even the big Geordie striker knew that.

And as one of Dennis Wise’s bosom buddies took the chair for the post-match Press conference – ex-Chelsea man Eddie Newton – and claimed that Linington’s performance had been just and fair, it’s worth recalling that Di Matteo has dumped Newcastle out of the cup in controversial manner as player and now manager.

In 2000 with Chelsea and Wise, a disputed Gus Poyet winner against Newcastle came with Kieron Dyer lying injured, the Londoners refusing to put the ball out of play and scoring a goal to take them to the FA Cup final 10 years ago.

That’s why the dignified approach from Newcastle’s players on their way out of The Hawthorns will make a potential title win at West Brom’s expense all the sweeter for a side that quite rightfully feel they were swindled out of the FA Cup.